Premier League newcomers Coventry City have signed Nigeria international striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest for a reported £9 million ($12 million) fee.
Awoniyi will join Frank Lampard’s side ahead of their opening Premier League fixture against reigning champions Arsenal on Friday.
The 29-year-old becomes Lampard’s latest signing following the arrivals of Gus Hamer, Carl Rushworth, Loum Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Caleb Yirenkyi.
Awoniyi will also link up with fellow Super Eagles international Frank Onyeka at the CBS Arena.
Coventry are returning to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years after winning the Championship title last season.
“I am very excited about this season, and I can’t wait to get started,” Awoniyi said.
“I’m really looking forward to working with my new teammates. I have seen how amazing they have been last season, coming up from the Championship. They were incredible and now I am just excited to join them.”
Awoniyi, who has earned 10 caps for Nigeria, spent four seasons at Nottingham Forest, scoring 23 goals in 103 appearances across all competitions.
The striker struggled for regular playing time last season after recovering from a serious intestinal injury sustained in May 2025 when he collided with a goalpost during Forest’s match against Leicester City.
Awoniyi was placed in an induced coma following the injury but eventually made a full recovery.
He was given a guard of honour by his Nottingham Forest teammates during Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Brest as he said farewell to the club.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis paid tribute to the Nigerian striker, saying Awoniyi would “always have a special place in the history of Nottingham Forest.”
“He has been one of the defining figures in our journey and given our supporters moments of great joy that will never be forgotten,” Marinakis said.
